Ever dreamed about sleeping in a sports stadium? Here's your chance...
Picture it: it's Super Bowl Sunday and you wake up in the middle of Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. On purpose.
Courtyard by Marriott is launching a contest for what it calls an "epic Super Bowl experience." The brand is transforming one of the stadium's VIP suites into a replica of Courtyard's guest rooms with a duvet-covered bed and signature Lounge Around curved sofa. One lucky winner can choose two other sports fan companions to overnight in the luxury digs for the "slumber party of the century," followed by private tours of the stadium.
Flights, meals and drinks in the suite, and tickets to the big game are included. In case you're wondering where they will shower, an actual nearby Courtyard guest room will also provided to the winners. All it takes to win, according to the hotel company's news release, is to participate in a series of social media challenges via the hashtag #SuiteSB50Contest on Twitter and Instagram.
Callette Nielsen, vice president and global brand manager, for Courtyard told RWV, “The Super Bowl 50 sleepover is an incredible once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is a great example of how Courtyard, as the official hotel of the NFL, collaborates with the league to come up with experiences that go beyond a football fan’s wildest imagination.”
Courtyard is not the first to promote sleeping in a sports stadium. Airbnb recently held a contest for the chance to overnight in Fenway Park. It required a bit more studious homework with contest participants writing an essay on why a night there would be a "dream come true."
And anyone that didn't win the Airbnb contest can always book a room at the Renaissance Toronto Downtown, which has accommodations that look directly into Rogers Centre where the Blue Jays play. Room rates during game days spike for the privilege of watching the game live from bed.
Of course, none of this beats camping out in a sleeping bag on the field itself. The New York Mets once allowed several hundred fans the opportunity to spend the night on Citi Field, giving them free roam of the stadium. And the Dallas Cowboys recently invited 100 underserved youth to meet and greet the players and then spend the night in AT&T Stadium.
For now, Courtyard offers the best chance for you to come close to the turf of one of television's most watched events. Well, that, or perking up your vocal cords to the likes of Bruno Mars between now and Feb. 7.